Serious flaws have been identified in the newly introduced “one-week” MDCAT policy, with education experts warning it could push underprivileged students out of the merit race in Pakistan.
The policy, announced by Mustafa Kamal, has drawn widespread criticism due to disparities in examination schedules across different educational boards.
According to reports, there is an 84-day gap between board examinations across the country.
For example, the Balochistan Board will conclude exams on May 29, while the Sahiwal Board will continue exams until August 21, raising serious concerns about fairness in preparation time.
Students in Sindh and Punjab are also expected to remain busy with practical exams during July and August, which could further limit their preparation time.
In contrast, students from the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education are reportedly getting up to 90 extra days to prepare compared with students from other boards.
Educationists have warned that conducting the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) immediately after board exams could negatively affect student performance.
Experts estimate that the policy could lead to a 5.8 percent drop in results, mainly due to mental exhaustion and burnout. They noted that nearly 80 percent of medical aspirants already face intense academic pressure.
Education experts have suggested that the MDCAT should be conducted four to six weeks after the completion of board practical exams.
They also proposed linking the test date with the uniform announcement of board results across the country to ensure equal preparation time for all candidates.
Critics also warned that the policy may fail to curb the so-called academy mafia, as coaching centers could simply shift their activities during the academic session instead of being eliminated.
The debate has intensified concerns over transparency, fairness and equal opportunity in Pakistan’s medical college admission system.
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